2015 PTA Reflections Theme

Flextangle Fun!

As an end of year project, the 5th graders created flextangles. They were so popular that many students are begging to make more.  Here is the link to the template and a video on how to make these fun toys.

Art Show!

The annual art show is this Thursday, April 2nd from 5:30 to 7:30.  Pre-sale forms went home last week with your child.  Frames are $25.  Don't miss this opportunity for your child to show off their amazing artwork and make it a part of your permanent collection!

January fun

It's hard to believe that January is almost over.  Every grade is knee-deep in new projects and mediums.  Before the holidays, 3rd grade art students collaborated with Mrs. Gardner in the music department. With the extra hands of many parent volunteers, each child created a clay whistle, or an "ocarina"  during art class. Mrs. Gardner and I spent several hours over the week trimming and tuning each clay whistle by hand.  This month we decorated the ocarinas using underglazes. 

5th grade finished up a multi-media project inspired by Surrealism. After learning how to draw a room using 1-point perspective, they created a collage of out-of-this world elements. This was a fun and inspiring project.

Kindergartners amazed me last week.  After studying our faces in a mirror and looking at all the shapes and lines that make up our features, they were able to draw incredible self-portraits. No more stick figures for these kids!

And finally, 3rd grade is finishing up a unit on Folk Art inspired by a native Georgia artist, Beverly Buchanan.  Using all recycled materials, they constructed "shacks" on cardboard and this week we painted them in the brightest colors and patterns.  I am so excited to display these masterpieces.

The Petri Dish of Mt. Bethel

It's that time of year where the germs are plentiful and the art room becomes the petri dish of Mt. Bethel! With over 1,000 kiddos circulating through my room every 7 days, you can imagine the germs that get left behind. In an effort to keep us all healthy,  I do my best to sanitize my tables and supplies. Donations of Clorox wipes and hand sanitizer would help my battle against these nasty bugs. 

Reflections Submissions

I am proud to post this year's Reflection's Visual Arts submissions:

Owen Smith, Kindergarten, 1st place

Ryan Cloninger, 5th Grade, 1st place

Maryn Rhea, 5th grade, 1st place

Ryann Jacobson, 5th grade, 2nd place

Angelina Jacobs, 4th grade, 1st place, Photography

Chloe Middleton, 3rd grade, 1st place

Claire Jiang, 2nd grade, 2nd place

Olivia Culbertson, 2nd grade, 1st place

Elana McMasters, 1st grade, 1st place

Emma Graham, 4th grade, 1st place

Denmark Hodges, 4th grade, 1st place, Photography

Megan Tate, 3rd grade, 2nd place

Ava McMasters, 3rd grade, Honorable Mention

Lauren Kenerly, 2nd grade, 3rd place

Sowmya Muppalla, 5th grade, Honorable Mention

Jenna Bonds, 5th grade, Honorable Mention

Lauren Kenerly, 2nd place, Honorable Mention

Camy Teichman, 5th grade, Honorable Mention

Artsonia Gifts

As many of you know, I have started an Artsonia Gallery this year. The purpose of Artsonia is to share with you what your children are creating in art. Since I am not sending artwork home until the end of the year, Artsonia allows you to get a glimpse of the artwork your child has created so far. Thanks to some wonderful parent volunteers, I was able to expand the online gallery to include K, 2nd and 4th grade.  If your child has a piece of art uploaded, you should have received a slip of paper with a code to access your child's account.  When you sign up for an account, you will receive a notification every time a new piece of your child's art is uploaded.  If you have misplaced that slip of paper, please email me and I can email you a new code.

An added bonus to Artsonia is that you can also purchase an array of wonderful gifts with your child's artwork printed on it.  Mugs, ornaments, iPhone cases, and cards are just an example of the great gifts that are perfect for grandparents and family! Artsonia is offering 30% off mugs and 25% off ornaments.  20% of all purchases made come right back to Mt. Bethel! My goal is to purchase a mini iPad for the art room for students to use to upload their own artwork and record artists statements.  An iPad would also be a great tool to assist with assessment.

Order before December 15th for guaranteed Christmas delivery!